EMPIRE RELATIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 September 1938, Page 7

EMPIRE RELATIONS

OPENING OF CONFERENCE. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] SYDNEY, September 4. One of the largest and most distinguished gatherings ever seen in the great hall of Sydney University attended the formal opening of the British Commonwealth Relations Conference by the chairman, Sir Thomas Bavin. The speakers .included the Australian Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons), who cordially welcomed the delegates and gave an eloquent address. Mr Lyons advocated unity of purpose and aim among the members of the British Commonwealth to enable each to bring its full strength to bear in an active campaign for world peace. He declared that the inevitable result of world unrest and _ the armaments race must be international anarchy. Many persons professed to believe .in a democratic system of government, but were only half-heart-ed. There was no adequate reason for an apologetic attitude. Mr Lyons added that it would not have been possible for the British Commonwealth to have retained the allegiance of so great a diversity of peoples unless basic democratic rights had been freely conceded. Lord Lothian, leader of the British delegation, said the predominant issue was, “World peace or world war?’’ Britain’s inescapable task was to prevent general war, and her objective could best be attained by unanimous Empire support.

The Primo Minister deeply moved the gathering when he announced that the Commonwealth had decided to suggest, that, religious denominations should set aside a day of prayer for Divine intercession and guidance for the world.